Abstract
All cases of fatality require that findings such as blunt force injury be analyzed to establish whether injuries are of ante- or postmortem origin, the latter possibly including “injury” to the body during transportation, as a result of dismemberment, or due to postmortem animal predation. If an injury was incurred ante-mortem, the age of the wound—among other factors—and whether there is a causal link between the injury and death are of particular interest. Likewise, findings at the scene where the body was discovered, such as traces of blood, may provide insight into the incident, the victim’s position at the time of the incident, as well as the victim’s capacity to act in the posttrauma period. Numerous so-called vital signs are encountered in forensic practice, the most relevant of which will be discussed here. Some findings are almost certainly of antemortem origin, while others are only likely to have been caused before death. Notable examples include:
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Access this chapter
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
Selected References and Further Reading
Adams VI, Hirsch CS (1989) Venous air embolism from head and neck wounds. Arch Pathol Lab Med 113:498–502
Dettmeyer R (2011) Forensic histopathology—fundamentals and perspectives. Springer Verlag, Berlin/Heidelberg/New York, pp 178–229
Falzi G, Henn R, Spann W (1964) Über pulmonale Fettembolien nach Traumen mit verschieden langer Überlebenszeit. Münch Med Wschr 106:978
Fatteh A (1966) Histochemical distinction between antemortem and post-mortem wounds. J Forensic Sci 11:17–27
Fatteh A (1971) Distinction between antemortem and postmortem wounds: a study of elastic fibers in human skin. J Forensic Sci 16:393–396
Fernandez P, Bermejo AM, Lopez Rivadulla M et al (1994) Biochemical diagnosis of the intravital origin of skin wounds. Forensic Sci Int 68:83–89
Hernandez-Cueto C, Luna A, Villanueva E (1987) Differential diagnosis between vital and postmortem wounds: ions as markers. Adli Tip Derg 3:14
Janssen W (1977) Forensische Histologie. Schmidt-Römhild Verlag, Lübeck, pp 111–150
John WG, Scott KWM, Hawkroft DM (1988) Glycated haemoglobin and glycated protein and glucose concentrations in necropsy blood samples. J Clin Pathol 41:415–418
Khuu HM, Robinson CA, Brissie RM, Konrad RJ (1999) Postmortem diagnosis of unsuspected diabetes mellitus established by determination of decedent’s hemoglobin A1c level. J Forensic Sci 44:643–646
Lasczkowski GE, Püschel K (1991) Hyperglykämische Stoffwechselentgleisung: Relation zwischen Glykogennephrose und postmortalen biochemischen Parametern des Glukosestoffwechsels. Rechtsmedizin 1:41–45
Oshima T (2000) Forensic wound examination. Forensic Sci Int 113:153–164
Osuna E, Garcia-Villora A, Pérez-Cárceles MD et al (1999) Vitreous humor fructosamine concentrations in the autopsy diagnosis of diabetes mellitus. Int J Leg Med 112:275–279
Raekallio J (1963) Histochemical distinction between antemortem and postmortem skin wounds. J Forensic Sci 9:107–110
Raekallio J (1966) Enzyme histochemistry of vital and postmortem skin wounds. J Forensic Med 13:85–90
Ritz S, Kaatsch HJ (1990) Postmortale Diagnostik von tödlichen diabetischen Stoffwechselentgleisungen: Welchen Stellenwert haben Liquor- und Glaskörperflüssigkeitssummenwerte sowie der HbA-1-Wert? Pathologe 11:158–165
Robertson I, Mansfield RA (1957) Antemortem and postmortem bruises of the skin: their differentiation. J Forensic Med 4:2–10
Sippel H, Möttönen M (1982) Combined glucose and lactate values in vitreous humour for postmortem diagnosis of diabetes mellitus. Forensic Sci Int 19:217–222
Sturner WO, Sullivan A, Suzuki K (1983) Lactic acid concentrations in vitreous humour: their use in asphyxial deaths in children. J Forensic Sci 28:222–230
Thoresen SO, Rognum TO (1986) Survival time and acting capability after fatal injury by sharp weapons. Forensic Sci Int 31:181–187
Traub F (1969) Methode zur Erkennung von tödlichen Zuckerstoffwechselstörungen an der Leiche (Diabetes mellitus und Hypoglykämie). Zbl Allg Path 112:390–399
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 2014 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg
About this chapter
Cite this chapter
Dettmeyer, R.B., Verhoff, M.A., Schütz, H.F. (2014). Vital Reactions. In: Forensic Medicine. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-38818-7_7
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-38818-7_7
Published:
Publisher Name: Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg
Print ISBN: 978-3-642-38817-0
Online ISBN: 978-3-642-38818-7
eBook Packages: MedicineMedicine (R0)